by Davey Coombs
250 Words: Unadilla
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 | 9:00 AM
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PrintTrey Canard must be living right. He's been on a great run this summer. He's streaking outdoors. He was named to Team USA. He's got a Honda Red Bull Racing contract for next year, and he just signed a lucrative new gear deal. Yet most were probably betting against him at Unadilla.
The deck was stacked in Christophe Pourcel's favor. The series points leader had not won a race in some time. He was coming to his favorite track on the Lucas Oil AMA Motocross tour. The weather was fairly mild. And his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki is one of the two fastest bikes out there.
Trey Canard scored his fourth AMA National win in a row at Unadilla. It's a championship again.
Photo: Steve Cox
Unfortunately, in motocross racing there's never a sure thing—at least not since Ricky Carmichael retired. After bolting into the lead early in the first moto, Pourcel went down hard and a pack of wild thumpers ran over his bike. And just like that, GEICO Powersports Honda's Canard found his opening. He let his teammate Justin Barcia take care of Pourcel's Dean Wilson with a move that's sure to be revisited, then moved past Barcia for the win. Just like that, he was 25 points closer to Pourcel.
The second moto was a different story. This time Canard was out front early, but Pourcel, banged up and all from his big crash, did a remarkable job of scrambling from a bad start. He dug deep—he had to—and ran down Canard at the end to snatch the moto win and mitigate the first-moto damage a little.
But at the end of the day, there was Canard again, taking his fourth win in a row. If he can do it a couple more times, he could catch Pourcel in the standings and take this 250 National Championship down to the wire. This kid is obviously living right.
Christophe Pourcel still won moto two, but he now has a bit of pressure for the last three rounds.
Photo: Steve Cox
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Is it just me or does Ping look like a chubby Lt. Dangle from Reno 911?
Canard got some much needed points. I am glad too, it makes the rest of the season that much more exciting. Since the 450's are a runaway.
Canard isn't on Pourcel's level when all things are equal
Cannot blame Pourcel for not "Man up" and finishing the first moto. I was along the fence at the sky jump at Unadilla..where Pourcel wrecked about 80 yards before out of the sweeping left corner. He crossrutted and his bike did 2 front flips while he went over the clutch side of the bars. His bike laid in the middle of the track while 39 other bikes went by and he had the wind knocked out of him. His front forks were twisted and rear shock was broken..not a bike to exactly come through the pack with after they finally restarted it and he was a lap down. Good ride by Canard though
I agree, bwilliam. But I'm less than convinced, Mxrider26x, that "Canard isn't on Pourcel's level when all things are equal." Was it equal that Pourcel barely rode in the first moto? Has it been equal when Canard has won the last four Nationals? Pourcel's a great rider, but perhaps Canard is finally reaching his potential and IS on CP's level. BTW, thanks, malve, for your insightful contribution.
Canard has been getting better starts and Pourcel has had some crashes and stuff but you don't let a guy who gets a 10th place start catch you when you get a holeshot if you are on his level.
Canard ran the entire first moto hard, while Pourcel wasnt riding. Thats not a level playing field. The last 4 Nationals where level and Canard has won all of them. He looks like Pourcels level to me..
Our boy Trey could get a head of steam and run with this. There's another guy who was in Trey's place last year (kinda) and hasn't stopped yet. That would be something to see.
Pizzacorner... maybe you should stick to making pizza or whatever it is you do. Nobody could have "manned up" to a ride a broken bike, what an idiotiotic thing to say! Canard needs everything to go well in order to beat Pourcel. As far as a level playing field is concerned, Canard got the holeshot, Pourcel started back in 10th and more important than riding the whole 1st moto, Pourcel was riding banged up from his 1st moto crash. Pourcel "manned up" in a huge way, passed all of the fastest riders in the class and then chased down Canard and passed him.
I say canard and pourcel are very evenly matched at this point, and we should have some great battles for these last few, as the championship goes down to the wire.
When they are both up and near each other, when has Pourcel not walked him? Maybe once? I've been a TC fan since he showed up, but by definition not everyone can be the fastest. No one has consistently run CP's 250 speed since he came back from injury. All agree that TC is gonna be good on the 450, but the jury of teams seems to agree that they expect CP to walk on water (when his injury isn't biting him). What a variable that injury is. Makes it more interesting and I guess that's why we follow the sport.
There were definitely some variables in that second moto. Of course, CP's bike was damaged in moto one. Did he benefit from the rest? Was he really "banged up," as kwtriple suggests? Pourcel clearly had the edge at the beginning of the season, but as things have progressed, it's seemed harder and harder for him to run two good motos in a day. Meanwhile, Canard, as we know, has won four Nationals in a row. I don't think it's "obvious" that Pourcel is faster at this point. It should be an interesting last six motos. I'll be rooting for TC at the 'wick!
Carnard has to be on his game. Now that the hot weather will probably be gone the rest of the season CP will be doing much better in the second moto I believe. At Unadilla the temperature was in the 70's, low 80's I believe and you saw what happen even with him banged up from the first moto. And I do believe he was banged up from the video. I like Canard but he has his work cut out for him. But he could get lucky........never mind I won't go there haha.
The highest position Pourcel reached last year at Southwick in either moto was fifth, I believe (pre-DNF). It should be interesting.
Canard has got this title in the bag. CP is going to falter during the remaining races, and Trey is going to stay solid.
drkelly.. it is way too early to say the TC has it in the bag. TC has had this bad habit of crashing really hard. So far this year he has been able to stay on two wheels, but as the pressure increases who knows what will happen. CP is fast and wants the title, especially after last year. We will see if TC can keep it together for the rest of the season. I think it will be CP in the end.
I think it is a crapshoot as to who will win it, and I predict it will come down to the final MOTO. I hope so.. DeleteReported
My prediciton...CP will overall two of the last three races.
CP is in the points lead. Until he is not he should be seen as the fastest. Do I think Canard is getting to his level? Yes. Run one moto with only those two on the gate winner take all and I put my money on Pourcel though. Come MXdN my full support goes to Trey in the MX2 class however. I'll be waving the U.S., Minnesota, Oklahoma and Colorado flags high.
Last I checked, they don't run one-on-one motos, StephenB.
...and last I checked my response had nothing to do with a Championship battle at hand but with an opinion of who I thought had more RAW speed. Numerous discussions going on above my post. Ever heard of an elaboration? It was merely me, hypothetically putting my self in a position to make a bet and I said my odds are on Pourcel. Please, I beg of you, stop trying to read in to my comments just to disagree with me. Go play lost sheep on someone else. It's getting to the point where I don't even want to defend your side if I feel you're right. Who knows, if Trey win's this thing my position might change. Isn't it funny how that works? How someone's opinion can just change... like... well... an opinion.
“last I checked my response had nothing to do with a Championship battle at hand but with an opinion of who I thought had more RAW speed." Who cares? It would appear the rest of us are discussing the championship. Your "hypothetical position" doesn't have a whole lot to do with what happens in motocross. I enjoy the banter and debate regarding MX, and I'm not playing any "sheep" games with you or anyone else. If my little comment bothered you, perhaps your skin is a little too thin to be out here.
sef.. we all know that you are the smatest guy out here but I think it is sometimes interesting to discuss hypotheticals like who has more raw speed TC or CP. As long as the hyptheticals don't get crazy like billc's.
Thanks for the backhanded compliment, kw. Hey, hypotheticals are fine and all, but let's be honest. There are lots of variables to confuse that "perfect comparison." Is it the second moto? Is it hot? How's CP feeling that day? Earlier in the year or right now? Will Canard continue to get stronger? Even in that second moto, there were factors at play. There always are. But I give StephenB some credit. He's toned it down with the "I love the Euros" stuff and that makes him a lot more palatable.